Postdoctoral fellow in ecology and biodiversity

Welcome to Linnaeus University! We meet the societal challenges of today and tomorrow in a spirit of openness, curiosity and creativity. By creating arenas for exchange of knowledge from different subjects, fields and cultures, we open up for new ideas and create new opportunities for long-term sustainable societal development. Linnaeus University – where people grow.

The Department of Biology and Environmental Science is part of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. 
The research activities within this multidisciplinary department include the areas of aquatic ecology, cell and organism biology, evolutionary biology, microbiology, environmental science and environmental engineering, and zoonotic ecology.

Field of subject for the position: Ecology
Placement: Kalmar

Extent and period: Agreement on temporary employment as a postdoctoral fellow, full time for two years from 2022 01 01, or as soon as the position can be filled.

Context of position:

The research will be carried out within the framework of the Swedish National Research Programme on Climate via a large project funded by the Swedish Research Council FORMAS (https://lnu.se/en/meet-linnaeus-university/current/news/2021/155-miljoner-till-forskning-om-den-svenska-ekens-roll-i-klimatomstallningen/). Genetic, ecological and environmental data will be collected from natural forests and oak breeding forests representing three different oak species in southern Sweden. The research will focus on how intra- and interspecific genetic variation influence the ability of oaks to cope with changing environmental conditions and how it affects the associated biodiversity. Another important line of investigation concerns responses to climate change.

The successful applicant will be responsible for studies of biodiversity of organisms associated with oaks, and for investigations of how climate change impact on insect populations, species and communities (primarily butterflies and moths). For this, an array of traditional and innovative sampling techniques (e.g., metabarcoding of frass fall traps and insect traps, and wildlife acoustic song meter automated audio recordings) will be used along with 'omics' approaches and advanced statistical methods. It will be investigated how variation and change in community composition and trophic food webs are related to forest characteristics (species, age and genetic structure) and environmental factors. Currently, we seek to strengthen our research team with a postdoctoral fellow interested in biological diversity, community ecology, and evolution.

You are expected to actively participate in the department's environment and network both internally and externally. The postdoctoral fellow that we are looking for shall contribute to the development of ongoing research, collaborate with group members in planning, conducting and disseminating research, and provide guidance to PhD and MSc students.

Up to 20 % of the position can include teaching and tutoring at the undergraduate and graduate levels.  

Qualification requirements:

Qualified for appointment is the one who holds a PhD, or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD in ecology, evolutionary biology, or bioinformatics, and who has completed their degree no more than three years before the application deadline.

Applicants must not have previously been employed as a postdoctoral fellow for more than a year in the same or related subject area at Linnaeus University.

Assessment criteria:
Assessment grounds that would place the candidate at an advantage include a scientific background in ecology; experience of assembling and handling large datasets and with spatial analyses; expertise in analyzing genetics and molecular data; experience of analyzing acoustic data; knowledge in bioinformatics; good knowledge of statistical modelling and programming in R; and a high proficiency in written and spoken English. Qualifying otherwise is prior experiences and familiarity with the study systems, research questions and methods that align with the planned research. In addition, the postdoctoral fellow should be able to solve problems and have the ability to work independently as well as interact well in a research group.

Further information: 

Head of department Per-Eric Betzholtz, per-eric.betzholtz@lnu.se     

Research leader, Anders Forsman +46(0)706-272738, anders.forsman@lnu.se

Human resources consultant, Leif Eriksson, leif.eriksson@lnu.se

 

To apply

The application (in English) should contain a cover letter describing the applicant’s research interests, motivation for the project, and experience relevant to the position, a CV (with telephone, e-mail, and contact details of two reference persons), documentation of exams and grades, a full list of publications, and at least two letters of recommendation.

All documents cited must be received by the university no later than 24.00 (Local time in Sweden) on the closing day December 27, 2021. Start date planned for January 2022, or as soon as possible.


Linnaeus University has the ambition to utilize the qualities that an even gender distribution and diversity brings to the organization.

Please apply by clicking on the "Apply" button at the bottom of the ad. The credentials you invoke must be verified with certification and they must be attached digitally in your application. The application and other documents to be marked with the reference number. All documents cited must be received by the University no later than 24.00 (Local time in Sweden) on the closing day.